Spanish-American War

The USS Maine sinks during the war between Cuba and Spain. The culprit of the sinking ship, later invested by the U.S. Navel Court, was a mine.

President McKinley petitioned for US aid to end the fighting in Cuba to establish a “stable government” that would “maintain order” and ensure the “peace and tranquility and the security” of those US citizens who live on the island as well as for the Cubans.

The Teller Amendment was issued by congress in reply to McKinley’s’ address regarding the war in Cuba. This amendment was to keep power of Cuba in their own countrymen and keep it from being acquired by the United States.

United States declared War on Spain. For the sinking of USS Maine and for the interest of trade between US and Cuba. The counties mainly traded sugar and had invested about $50 million in the trade which was worth about double that.

During the Battle of Manila Bay Commodore George Dewey for the US Navy was able to defeat the Spanish and gain control of the Philippian’s waters. Commodore Dewey only lost one crew member during this battle.

Victory in the Philippines, Guam was captured by the Navy cruiser the USS Charleston. The Spanish in Guam had no idea they were at war thus had no defenses. They surrendered Guam with no conflict of casualties.

US troops attacked the San Juan heights. Lead by Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt and Brigadier General Kent, the forces were able to push back the Spaniard with a death toll of 1,700.

An unofficial cease fire was signed to end the war between Spain and the US.

The Battle of Manila was fought between the Spanish and the US who were fighting with the Philippine revolutionary forces. This battle is occasionally called the “Mock Battle of Manila” because they Spaniards and the US were still legally at war but an unofficial cease fire had been signed the day prior. The leaders secretly joined forces to have the US conquer the center of the city which was leave the Philippine revolutionary forces surrounding them.

The war ended with the Treaty of Paris. Spain had lost all control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines and Guam.